Redflex, the number one supplier of red-light cameras in the Bay Area, claims these cameras will change driver behavior, safety will be improved and $500 tickets will lead to fewer red-light violations.

Not so much, says the local Redflex representative.

Recently, Redflex ran a 12-hour test at the intersection of Chilco Street and Bayfront Expressway in Menlo Park. A huge number of right turn violations were captured on video (114), which would make the camera extremely profitable even if only a fraction resulted in paid tickets.

Asked whether this number would be “sustainable,” Mark Riggs, Redflex rep, said, “The normal process for a new approach is the first few months there will be high numbers then it will begin to decline and stabilize.”

He continued, “Where it drops is anyone’s guess due to all of the variables involved. I can say that most intersections that have right turns enforced continue to produce consistent numbers.”

Riggs should know. He is the former “top cop” in charge of Fremont’s Red Light Camera Program until he retired earlier this year. He now works for Redflex.

It has been years since Fremont has experienced any decline in the number of red-light camera tickets. In fact, the number of violations is actually increasing slightly.

Cameras do not continue to change driver behavior.

Roger Jones

Organizer

Red Light Camera Protest Group

Fremont

Auditor’s report part of good government

The recent city auditor’s performance audit on Oakland’s Non-Interference Ordinance demonstrates many instances of noncompliance with that ordinance. There is an acute need for the City Council and city departments to restore compliance with the ordinance.

Oakland’s residents will not tolerate council interference with an independent and professional civil service system that makes decisions and distributes resources according to law and for the overall public good.

Some have attacked the auditor’s report. We do not agree. The investigation the Auditor’s Office undertook was conducted within the scope of its duties and with the goal of strengthening good government and bringing to public attention corrupt practices that go back many years.

The auditor’s letter to the council of April 26 fully rebuts inaccurate attacks concerning the objectivity, methodology and fairness of the report.

Gretchen White

President

Metropolitan Greater Oakland Democratic Club

Raise cop money through donations

So, Oakland needs $2 million to kick off the OPD improvement program? Let’s start a crowd fund so that we don’t need to take money from other programs.

We have 400,000 population, so we only need $5 per person. I will donate $20 to cover three residents who cannot pay. And $20 is a bargain for a quick performance boost. Only need 99,999 more $20 contributions.

Bernard Smith

Oakland

Can make difference by adopting a spot

The May 17 letter, “Does anyone in city care about camps?” is a very timely comment, as the Visit Oakland office has just committed to adopting this specific area as a part of the “Adopt a Spot” program through the city of Oakland’s Public Works Agency.

To those who are unfamiliar, Visit Oakland is the destination marketing organization for Oakland. As a part of National Travel and Tourism Week (May 4-12), we decided to start the “Adopt a Spot” program as a way to show that the hospitality community does care about the betterment and beautification of Oakland.

Nearly 50 members of the hospitality community spent the morning of May 7 picking up litter and painting over graffiti underneath this exact overpass.

Oakland Mayor Jean Quan kicked off the event by addressing the group of volunteers at the Oakland Convention Center.

Moving forward, the tourism community will continue to maintain clean-up of this area. We are also looking into new lighting for the corridor, as well as new plants for the medians and other ways to beautify this highly trafficked area.

We hope that concerned readers will appreciate the efforts that Visit Oakland and the greater tourism community are making to help improve this area of our city. For more information, visit us at visitoakland.org.